Support Royal Surrey charity 15k walk

Karen Neville

Posted on

Surrey

Karen Neville

, ,

Help raise funds for the Rotary Cut Out Cancer campaign

Can you sponsor Colin Simmons as he pulls on the walking boots again to tackle a 15k challenge organised by the Royal Surrey Charity through the Surrey countryside on Sunday 6th October.

The route can be seen here – https://explore.osmaps.com/route/22776188/

This is part of the Rotary Cut Out Cancer campaign to raise funds to help the Royal Surrey County Hospital purchase high-tech equipment for their six new surgical and cancer wards they are building.

Colin says: “The Royal Surrey Charity have kindly allowed us to have a specific JustGiving page as part of their overall fundraising so that the sponsorship we raise will be ring-fenced for our Cut Out Cancer campaign.”

More details of the campaign can be found at Colin Simmons is fundraising for Royal Surrey Charity (justgiving.com)

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Guildford Book Festival 2024

Karen Neville

Posted on

Surrey

Karen Neville

, ,

A whole world of words awaits at the 2024 Guildford Book Festival, October 6th to 20th at venues across the borough and it’s jam packed with authors and books to suit all tastes

Big names and bright young stars are on the programme at this year’s Guildford Book Festival, now in it’s 25th year.

Highlights of this year’s festival include worldwide bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith with his latest book in the hugely popular No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series; multi award-winning crime fiction author and Prime Suspect creator, Lynda La Plante, sharing stories from her new memoir; Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has Dance to the Death; Great British Sewing Bee favourite Patrick Grant urges us to rethink our relationship with clothing in Less; Olympian and former World Champion athlete Iwan Thomas shines a light on his career highs and brutal lows, and award-winning wildlife gardening TV presenter Kate Bradbury shows us how to take a stand against the climate crisis in our own back gardens.

Multi-million-selling authors Kate Mosse and Alison Weir return with their latest historical novels, and Linda Porter explores The Extraordinary Life of Margaret Tudor, elder sister of Henry VIII.

This year’s History Day at West Horsley Place features Nicola Tallis with her biography of young Elizabeth I, Melita Thomas introduces the lives of 1000 Tudor People, David Gibbins shares his History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks and Saul David discusses Sky Warriors – British Airborne Forces in the Second World War.

Image by: Ruth Crafer

Image by: Blake Ezra

Kate Summerscale tells the riveting true story of The Murders at 10 Rillington Place. Leading expert and correspondent on China Michael Sheridan discusses his new biography of Xi Jinping, arguably the most powerful man in the world.

This year’s Readers’ Day includes bestselling authors Louise Candlish and Freya North and multi-million bestselling local author Adele Parks will discuss her latest novel, First Wife’s Shadow, at this year’s Literary Dinner.

This year’s programme is packed with events for children and young people. Dinosaur detectives can discover Dig Dig Dinosaur with Anjali Goswami at Leith Hill Place, Oi Dinosaurs! with Kes Gray and How to Draw Dinosaurs with Jonny Duddle. There’s a nature art workshop with Yuval Zommer at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village and a nature treasure hunt with Moira Butterworth at Dapdune Wharf.

Image by: Gemma Day

Image by: Kirsty Anderson

For the first time, the festival is presenting a special event in partnership with Books Beyond Words, a national charity co-creating word-free stories for people with learning disabilities. Rose Gets in Shape takes place at Guildford Library. The Festival’s ever-popular Creative Writing Course returns too.

Alex Andrews, Guildford Book Festival Director, said: “We’re really excited about this year’s line-up, which includes some of the biggest names along with bright new stars discussing a huge range of genres and topics. Whether you’re a fan of fiction, fascinated by crime or fancy learning something new, there’s lots to discover and enjoy this year!”

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Jo Whiley’s 90s Anthems live shows

Liz Nicholls

Posted on

Surrey

Liz Nicholls

, , , ,

HEY GIRL…HEY BOY… Superstar DJS…HERE WE GO! Jo Whiley is here with the ultimate 90s party… at Oxford’s o2 Academy on 3rd October and G Live in Guildford on 18th November

Get ready to be transported back to the decade that defined a generation – as the legendary Jo Whiley brings her electrifying new show Jo Whiley’s 90s Anthems to your doorstep.

The undisputed queen of this decade of British music will be rummaging through her record bag, dusting off her vinyl and bringing you the biggest hits and hidden gems that shaped the soundtrack of the 90s.

From the rise and huge success of Blur and Oasis to the block rocking beats of The Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy, with Jo behind the decks, this isn’t just a soulless 90’s playlist – it’s a journey through music history. Jo lived every moment, curated every track, and shared the studio and stage with the greatest acts of the decade.

Jo says: “I can’t wait to get back on the road in 2025 and bring the best of the 90s to audiences across the UK. There’s nothing like the energy of a 90s Anthems crowd, and I am looking forward to relive those moments with everyone – from Britpop to Rock to dance, it’s going to be an epic trip down memory lane.”

It really WAS better in the 90s… let Jo Whiley show you with this sensational new show. Prepare for a night of Britpop nostalgia, high-energy beats, the ultimate celebration of the era and let Jo remind you of what you’ve forgotten with this sizzling anthem-packed party to end them all.

Jo is still at the cutting edge of new music and will always be the ultimate authority on the very best of classical sounds of the 90s, Jo is an institution in her own right and a national treasure.

Whether you were rocking out to Britpop, raving to club classics, or living the indie dream, Jo’s got you covered – Jo loved it all and she’s ready to remind you why 90s really were the best time to be alive.

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Beware rogue traders in Woking

Karen Neville

Posted on

Surrey

Karen Neville

,

In response to a rise in rogue trading and doorstep crime in Woking, officers from Surrey Police’s Woking Safer Neighbourhood Team are working alongside Trading Standards, Crimestoppers and Woking Borough Council to combat

The most common type of rogue trading is rogue roof traders. This is where the criminal will pose as a roofer and attempt to convince you that you have loose or missing roof tiles, missing joinery between bricks, or that your gutters need cleaning.

In fact, they have often previously gained access to your roof to create the damage that they will then offer to ‘repair’ for you. Initially they will quote you a small sum of money and will then claim to find more ‘damage’ and quote you a further extortionate amount. The ‘work’ that they carry out will normally also need to be repaired by professionals costing even more money.

We know that criminals carrying out these offences will specifically target elderly and vulnerable victims – our research shows that the average victim of around 80 years old and lives alone.

Shockingly in Woking, since the beginning of the year, we estimate that the total financial loss of victims is in excess of £158,000 – and this is only from the incidents that have been reported to us!

James, 81, a victim of rogue roof traders, said: “It started with a small amount of value to draw me in and then worked up to a larger amount of £2,500. I am angry that I got conned as well as losing the money, it has made me feel like a fool. They said they would come back the next day to replace some felting which would cost me a further £6,500. That is when I contacted the police.”

We, with the help of local partner agencies, are proactively working to target and stop these criminals from exploiting our local community. We encourage you to report any incidents to us or Trading Standards – this enables us to build a bigger picture of offences, modus operandi, and secure prosecutions.

Finally, protect yourself and others by:

• Do not talk to unexpected callers at your door. If you do, do not be pressured into agreeing for work to start immediately.
• Ensure you get quotes for work from at least three different companies and check their reviews and previous work. Look for a trader that is registered with an accredited trade body and an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme.
• Do not pay cash or by card on your doorstep or attend a cash machine if asked by to by a trader.
• If you sign a contract or enter a verbal agreement at home or online, you’re legally entitled to a 14-day cancellation period, so make sure you are given these rights.
• Report any rogue traders and scams to the police and Trading Standards. If you feel unsafe or in an emergency, call 999.

If you have elderly relatives, neighbours, or friends, please do also share this information with them as they are most likely to be targeted.   

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Crafts & Creativity in Farnham

Karen Neville

Posted on

Surrey

Karen Neville

, ,

Farnham’s October Craft Month is an opportunity for everyone to engage with a vast selection of excellent craft events and experiences

Farnham is known for its many talented craft makers and artists and is the first region in England to be honoured with the title of World Craft Town.

Throughout the month, Farnham is hosting over 80 activities to enjoy with exhibitions, workshops, masterclasses and pop-up events, open studios and much more to get involved in.

October is the highlight of the year where you can come and meet the vibrant community of makers and skilled artisans and immerse yourself in all the activities taking place in the local area. Learn how craft plays a special role in the community and experience for yourself the positive effect craft can have on boosting your mental wellbeing.

Farnham Craft Month launches at the Old Diary at Pierrepont Farm in Frensham with an arts and crafts open day on October 5th at noon. This hub of artisan businesses will open their doors to the community and are joined by musicians, visiting artists and a variety of food and drink stalls. If you haven’t visited before, this is a great opportunity to learn more and see the crafts people in action.

Over the final weekend of October craft month, 26th and 27th, makers and craftspeople of Farnham open their studios, galleries or other venues to the public to showcase their work in the Craft Trail. Come and talk to the talented group of local artisans and craftspeople, explore their work-in-progress, listen to them share their creative processes and inspirations. Entry to each venue is free. All the artists will have original work for sale and often have cards and prints available.

And finally, the month-long celebration will end with Farnham’s first Lantern Festival. We have welcomed all parts of our community, young and old, to express their creativity by getting involved in making a lantern.

This will culminate in an event on the last day of October Craft Month, where our community will walk with lighted lanterns to St Andrew’s Church, where the lanterns will be displayed as a large-scale communal craft endeavour. We are delighted to welcome Frensham Heights School as this year’s sponsor of October Craft Month, and encourage you to book onto one of the craft activities in their magnificent arts facility.

Find out more about what’s on, details of the artists and makers taking part and to see a map of the locations, visit Farnham Craft Town

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Poetry, prose & birdsong at Petersfield

Karen Neville

Posted on

Surrey

Karen Neville

,

A world of discovery awaits at the Edward Thomas Literary Festival 2024 focussing on the themes of nature and birdsong

Petersfield Museum is celebrating the life and work of Edward Thomas at the Edward Thomas Literary Festival 2024 from October 3rd to 12th.

This year’s festival promises to immerse participants in the beauty and power of poetry, with a special focus on the themes of nature and birdsong. Whether a long-term lover of poetry and Edward Thomas, or new to the wonderful world of words, there is something for everyone.

Attracted by the landscape and the South Downs, Thomas and his family lived in Steep, near Petersfield for 10 years, from 1906.

Known during his lifetime as a critic, essayist and writer of books about the countryside, Thomas moved towards writing his own poetry in late 1914, initially publishing under the name Edward Eastaway. Before he saw his poetry in print under his own name, he was killed at the Battle of Arras on Easter Monday 1917. Since then, Thomas’s reputation as a poet has increased greatly and his posthumous influence on the development of English verse has been widely recognised.

Edward Thomas Literary Festival Highlights:

Family Creative Workshops: Fun and engaging activities designed to inspire young poets and their families including on Saturday 5th when you can create your own artwork ‘inspired by the word’.

Poetry Readings and Performances: Enjoy live readings and performances by renowned poets.

Open Mic Night: Share your own poetry or simply enjoy the creative atmosphere.

Adult Workshops: Deepen your understanding and craft with expert-led sessions. Join poet Isobel Dixon and artist Douglas Robertson for a lively poetry-art workshop inspired by nature and nature-loving creators over the centuries on Friday 4th.

Talks and Discussions: Engage in thought-provoking conversations about poetry, nature, and Edward Thomas’s influence. Enjoy The Spirit of the Song, a talk by Sean Street on 4th, The Notes that Did So Haunt Me – Birdsong, Song and Sound in Edward Thomas’s Poetry with Edna Longley on 5th and Andrew Motion and Alice Oswald in conversation on 12th.

You can also join a walk on 6th of around five miles through the landscape of Edward Thomas, culminating at his memorial The Poets Stone.

For tickets please see the full list of events to book, visit Edward Thomas Literary Festival 2024: Poetry, Prose and Birdsong | Petersfield Museum

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Early bird rates for Santa run

Karen Neville

Posted on

Surrey

Image by: Paul Fitchett Images

Karen Neville

, ,

Join the Santa Fun Run in Farnborough on Sunday, 1st December and raise vital funds for Phyllis Tuckwell

Sign up now at the Early Bird rate for Phyllis Tuckwell’s Santa Fun Run and get sponsored to walk, run, jog, hop, skip and support local hospice care.

This festive fun run will take place at 11am, at The Wavell School, Farnborough. It’s a great way to get the whole family or a group of friends together over the festive season, and you can even bring along your four-legged friend – dogs are welcome on a lead. If you sign up now, you’ll take advantage of the Early Bird registration fees (until October 31st) of £12 for adults and £5 for children (age 14 and under). Registration includes a Santa suit for adults or reindeer antlers for children.

All the money you raise in sponsorship will go towards helping local charity Phyllis Tuckwell provides its vital care for patients and families who are living with an advanced or terminal illness, such as cancer – so please do try to raise as much as you can!

The route covers two laps of Queen’s Avenue playing fields, a total of approx 5k, but you can do just one – everyone who takes part will receive a medal and you can complete it at your own pace – running, jogging, walking or even hop, skip and jumping your way round!

“Our Santa Fun Run is always a really enjoyable event, and it raises such important funds to help support our case,” said Fiona Chapman, events fundraiser at Phyllis Tuckwell. “We would like to say a big thank you to The Wavell School for hosting it once again and to Vale Furnishers for kindly sponsoring the event.”

Sign up now at Santa Fun Run | Phyllis Tuckwell (pth.org.uk) and pop this fun festive date in your diary!

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Half-term horrors

Karen Neville

Posted on

Surrey

Karen Neville

, ,

There are plenty of Halloween activities and ideas to entertain your little monsters this holiday

From glorious autumn colour to Halloween fun, there’s lots for everyone to enjoy at a National Trust place near you this autumn. Immerse yourself in the vibrant colours at Winkworth Arboretum. soak up the far-reaching views at Leith Hill and Hindhead Commons and bring the little ones for spooky fun at Hatchlands Park and Claremont Landscape Garden.

There’s spine tingling spooky fun to be had at Hatchlands Park with a pumpkin hunt in the garden for younger ones and spooky fun in the house. You can also follow a Halloween themed trail at Hindhead Common.

Join a spooktacular fun run at Dapdune Wharf on Saturday 26th and test your fitness as darkness falls in a 2k run around the haunted wharf and island. Dressing up encouraged. £5 per runner. Booking essential. Visit River Wey & Godalming Navigations │ Surrey | National Trust. You can also explore the stars and space at the wharf, make a mini rocket and create your own constellation.

Help Sarah the Spider find her boots the mischievous mice have hidden at Winkworth Arboretum, Oct 19th-Nov 3rd. Based on the Sarah the Spider children’s books by Hilary Robinson. Find eight activity stations themed around friendship and a very friendly spider who loves to dance.

Conjure up some spooks and spells and get those cauldrons bubbling at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on Tuesday 29th at a Halloween themed workshop for 5-7 year olds. Book at Spooks and Spells 5-7yrs | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre (yvonne-arnaud.co.uk)

Celebrate pumpkin week at Secretts Farm, Milford, October 19th & 20th and 25th to 30th. Dress to impress in the Halloween costume competition and try the pumpkin-themed menu.

Discover beautiful, handcrafted designs from over 75 talented makers at the festival of crafts, now in its 28th year. Well-established in the craft calendar and part of Farnham’s October Craft Month, the event, October 12th & 13th, champions great design, craftsmanship and skill. With hand-picked exhibitors, browse stalls showcasing a variety of media from textiles and print to homewares and jewellery. Expert-led talks, drop-in craft activities and bookable workshops. More at festival of crafts | Farnham Maltings

October is a wonderful time to visit Gilbert White’s House & Gardens; perfect for autumnal walks, fascinating exhibitions and the café is open to all, with a great array of hot drinks and gorgeous cakes. Plus this October Gilbert White’s House has a packed half term schedule with a pumpkin trail around the garden, owl themed twilight tales for the little ones, craft and story telling. To see everything that is on offer visit Gilbert Whites House – Journeys of Discovery in the Natural World

Take your ghouls and goblins to The Otter Nursery, Murray Road, Ottershaw from October 21st to November 1st and join the thrilling word hunt. It’s free and everyone gets to take home a prize. There’ll also be pumpkins available!

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Surrey Artist of the Year

Karen Neville

Posted on

Surrey

Karen Neville

, ,

The New Ashgate Gallery is celebrating the rich tapestry of Surrey’s artistic talent at the Surrey Artist of the Year 2024 – vote and be part of the journey to crowning the winner

Surrey Artist of the Year is a celebration of the wealth of talent and creativity that exists in the county and you can have your say in bestowing the titular honour.

Presented in collaboration between the New Ashgate Gallery and Surrey Artists Open Studios, this annual event has been showcasing the exceptional talent of local artists since 2009. From intricate designs to bold expressions, discover a rich array of artwork spanning mediums such as painting, drawing, textiles, ceramics, glass, and paper art.

The exhibition at the New Ashgate Gallery runs until November 9th but you have the chance to get involved, see the artwork firsthand and cast your vote in person at the gallery until October 25th when Surrey Artist of the Year 2024 will be revealed.

The 17 artists competing for this year’s prize of a bursary of £1,000 and a solo exhibition at the New Ashgate Gallery are:

v             Simran Ahira, Woking: Day and Night, mixed media painting
v             Tracey Jane Cooper, Reigate: Ocean Jewels, mixed media painting
v             Sarah Cox, Guildford: Swoop and Swirl, painting
v             Diana Croft, Dorking: Monet’s Garden, printmaking
v             Liz Hauck, Horley: Blue Velvet, painting
v             Alison Hunt, Hindhead: Copper Mist, painting
v             Richard Jack, Farnham: Mixed Emotions, sculpture
v             Jennifer Jokhoo, Redhill: Midsummer, printmaking
v             Rosalinda Kightley, Guildford: Orange Nasturtium, painting/printmaking
v             Claire Kent, Dorking: Precipice View, textiles
v             Colette Moscati, Farnham: The Flashes, painting
v             Peg Morris, Gomshall: Sassuolo Enfilade, printmaking
v             Julie Patton, Horley: In Coming Tide, enamel/ceramics
v             Philip Ryland, Farnham: Glitterball, painting
v             Sarah Rawlins, East Horsley: Positive Energy Scarf, textiles/painting
v             Julia Stockwell-Hamid, Ockley: Silver Rain I, painting/jewellery/sculpture
v             Chantelle Watson, Shamley Green: The Journey – Pitch Hill, Surrey, painting

As part of the commitment to fostering creativity within the community, they’re offering free family workshops during the October half-term on the 29th and 30th. Join the paper crafts and cardmaking led by Lucy Dorothy Nichols, the 2023 winner, alongside artist Kate Kennington Steer from the DAiSY network.

This year’s exhibition coincides with October Craft Month in Farnham, a celebration of craft and making that brings together artists, makers, and enthusiasts from all over the region. October Craft Month will feature a series of events, workshops, and exhibitions designed to inspire and engage the community in the joy of handmade crafts.

Lucy Dorothy Nichols, Surrey’s Artist of the Year 2023, returns for a simultaneous One Year On exhibition in the New Ashgate Gallery. The collection of works by the paper artist celebrates the joy of storytelling. But it isn’t a collection celebrating your average story… This is a world where stories that seem impossible to believe are perfectly plausible, a world where dreams and reality are delicately intertwined.

Taking titles from the Observer Pocket Book series as her starting point, Lucy has disregarded the wealth of interesting facts and figures contained within the pages of those well-loved, little reference books and instead conjured up a series of intricate paper sculptures which turn those facts and figures upside down. Stories, created from treasured papers, old envelopes, discarded wrapping paper and even the odd chocolate bar wrapper, now spill out from between the pages of these colourful little books. There are tales of shops selling musical notes by the jar, of marvellously magical rainbow-making machines, and if you look up, you’ll be able to wonder at skies full of birds laden down with bags, all flying off on their latest adventure. Pictured top right is Mozart and Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.

New Ashgate Gallery director, Dr Outi Remes says: “The Surrey Artist of the Year competition is a testament to the incredible talent and creativity that thrives within our community. We are proud to support and showcase these artists, providing them with a platform to share their work and inspire others.”

Sadly Richard Jack, shortlisted for the Surrey Artist of the Year 2024, has recently passed away. At the request of his family, his artwork, Mixed Emotions, will still be part of the exhibition as a tribute to his talent and contribution to the arts community. The New Ashgate Gallery extends its condolences to his family and honours his enduring legacy.

More at What’s On – New Ashgate Gallery and Shop

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Take off on Twilight Runway Challenge

Karen Neville

Posted on

Surrey

The 2024 Twilight Runway Challenge is cleared for take off, book your place and help boost local charities with the Community Matters Partnership

Run, walk, cycle, scoot or skateboard along the strip at Blackbushe Airport and help raise funds for a local charity or school in the Twilight Runway Challenge.

The fun, family-friendly event which is the flagship event of the year for the Community Matters Partnership takes place on Saturday, 21st September and is open for entries.

It attracts a wide variety of participants, from people looking to get fit, beating a personal best, taking part in fancy dress or having fun with friends, family or colleagues and it’s up to you how you get round the course with the choice of taking on a 3km, 5km or 10km route.

You also have the option to take part and raise vital funds for a local charity or school of CMP’s choice. Simply choose the cause, set up an online fundraising page and share it with friends, family and colleagues. There are already a variety to support including Aerobility which offers disabled adults the opportunity to fly a plane, The Zone which supports families living with autism and arts for wellbeing charity Creative Response among many more. For the full list of those you can support visit Twilight Runway Challenge.

CMP works to connect businesses with community enabling them to demonstrate their corporate social responsibility and commitment to social good.

Simon Jarvis, CEO of CMPP, said: “CMPP is all about community and collaboration, and our Twilight Runway Challenge embodies this. We are proud that this flagship fundraising event helps to raise vital funds for charities across Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. Last year the event helped to raise over £39,000 for local charitable causes and we are hoping to raise even more this year.”

The Twilight Runway Challenge is a unique opportunity for the community to get together, have fun and raise funds for local causes.

CMP would like to thank Blackbushe Airport for their support in hosting the annual Twilight Runway Challenge for the third time.

Gates open at 4pm, with the start at 5.15pm. All Challengers receive a finisher’s medal (wooden). To find out more and enter visit Twilight Run Challenge 2024 | Home (twilightchallenge.co.uk)

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter: